News
Afro-Gastro festival launched in Accra
The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has officially launched the Afro-Gastro festival programme, a celebration of African and diaspora culinary heritage at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra.
The festival, happening in October, aims to unite culinary experts, artists, researchers, and diaspora communities through food exhibitions, performances, and workshops.
Ms Gomashie described the festival as a journey to honour shared culinary heritage, calling on all stakeholders to unite in celebrating Africa’s story through food.
She highlighted how food serves as a bridge connecting Africans and the diaspora, noting that dishes like Waakye, Jollof, Callaloo, and Moi Moi carry stories of migration, resilience, and cultural identity.
“The October festival will build on the foundation laid at the launch, with plans to involve embassies, cultural institutions, and the public,” she said.
She thanked the organising committee, partners, and media for their support, emphasising that the event belongs to Ghanaians and Africans worldwide.
The Afro-Gastro Festival, which forms part of the Black Star Experience, is envisioned as a “gathering where every heritage is honoured and every story is shared through food.”
By Spectator reporter
News
Turn your attention to the religious bodies – GTEC urged
A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, has called on the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to extend its regulatory work to unaccredited religious leaders and institutions in the country.
Speaking in an interview with Channelone TV, Dr. Boakye-Danquah urged GTEC not to focus its attention on the Deputy Education Minister, but rather turn to the growing number of individuals who parade themselves with unverified academic and religious titles.
He said while Ghana has credible theological institutions such as Trinity Theological Seminary, the Ghana Baptist Seminary, and the Assemblies of God Seminary, many people still assume titles such as “Reverend Doctor,” “Apostle,” or “Professor” without going through accredited training.
“I would want to urge the GTEC to turn their attention to religious bodies… that will sanitize the system in our country,” he said.
Dr. Boakye-Danquah expressed concern that some individuals who previously had no religious background suddenly establish churches and assume high-ranking titles without proper training.
According to him, this trend undermines the integrity of both the academic and religious systems.
He added that enforcing standards in theological education and religious leadership would help create a more credible and well-structured society.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
Review feeding allocation for prisoners from GHS1.80 to GHS5 – Human Rights Committee to Mahama
The Human Rights Committee of Parliament has called on President John Dramani Mahama to increase the daily feeding allocation for prisoners from GHS1.80 to at least GHS5.
The Committee, chaired by Kumawu MP Ernest Yaw Anim, said the current amount was inadequate and therefore ought be reviewed to safeguard the rights and dignity of inmates.
It argued that an increment would help the country meet both local and international standards on prison welfare.
The call comes after the Committee commended President Mahama for granting a presidential amnesty to 998 prisoners.
The group described the gesture as a positive step towards advancing human dignity and easing congestion in prisons.
The Committee recalled that it had earlier visited the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons on May 19, 2025, where it urged government to fast-track efforts to improve conditions in correctional facilities nationwide.
According to the Committee, reviewing the feeding allocation alongside the amnesty will help create a fairer and more progressive society.
By: Jacob Aggrey
